Since pastors work Sundays, most of us receive Saturday and an additional weekday as days off. For the past year, my weekday off has been Thursday. I didn't have a choice in this; the other three pastors took Friday off, and someone has to be in the office on Fridays. It's been hard. I've never been able to go out of town without taking vacation and planning significantly ahead (not always my strong suit). I am often in the middle of projects to be finished on Friday, so while I'm physically out of the office, I'm still mentally working. Working only three days with the other pastors means less communication, and as I share an assistant with someone else, often she would have plenty to do from him on Friday when I came to her with work.
The good news is that last week, the personnel ministry team asked Session to create a Pastor Sabbath on Fridays, when all of us will be out of the office (someone is on call monthly for after-hours emergencies, and that person will be the contact for the day should an emergency arise). It's a compromise for the congregation and the other pastors, and I am SO THANKFUL for this gift. Beginning in August, I can take trips to see friends and stay out/up late with my husband two nights in a row. I feel like I'll be able to relax more deeply and really disconnect from work.
Thanks, church!
This is so good--I am glad that the session recognizes your need for time away.
Neither of us is in the office here on Fridays unless it's to write sermon, and sermon-writing = door closed = not really here. People are fairly used to it now, though at first they always wanted to know where I was!
Congrats on having two days off together!
Posted by: Teri | June 28, 2007 at 03:40 PM
Congratulations, that sounds like such a relief!
Posted by: Mrs. M | June 29, 2007 at 09:02 AM